Vickerman praises ‘high-IQ’ group

A near perfect start to the NBL24 season has Melbourne United well placed as they enter the second quarter of their campaign on Friday night against the JackJumpers in Tasmania.

The success has been built on a stout defence, combined with a developing offence that saw MU average 99 points per game on over 54% shooting across their two wins in Round 4.

Speaking to Fox Sports News, Head Coach Dean Vickerman praised the experience and poise of his playing group for being able to produce at such a high level, especially with limited preparation during double-header rounds.

“I think we rank number one defensively for the first seven games and I think gradually we’re improving offensively as this group gets to know each other and we get personnel back,” he said.

“We’ve got a really high-IQ group… We can give them information and they can pick it up really quickly.

“So many of our guys have played at an Olympics or a World Championship or played high (level) international basketball, with Ian Clark as well who’s won an NBA championship, so we’ve got some really talented people on our roster.”

Two of those really talented people make up United’s center pairing of Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti.

Over Melbourne’s pair of wins, the duo combined for 57 points, 21 rebounds, eight assists and six blocks.

After managing JLA’s minutes in his first two games back, Vickerman said he’s going to have to quickly find ways to play the two towering big-men together to make the most of their unique talents.

“Gradually I think he (Lual-Acuil Jr) will demand more minutes but right now Ariel Hukporti is playing fantastic so it’ll get to a point where we’ll need to practice a bit more with those two playing together.”

United will next take the court on Friday night in a blockbuster clash with the Tasmania JackJumpers on the road before returning to John Cain Arena for a matchup with the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday.

Sunday’s game will be a celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the Melbourne Tigers’ inaugural NBL championship victory.

The only way you can make sure you don’t miss a second of this special afternoon of Melbourne basketball, lock in your seat today!